New Album From Nuru Kane

By Robert Fox

This month, there was an interesting new album released by Nuru Kane of Senegal, the guitarist and guimbri player who also leads the group Bayefall Gnawa. Titled "Sigil," the debut solo album from Riverboat Records combines traditional Gnawa rhythms with a blues sensibility and an ear for pulsing Mbalax that make you want to move. The mostly acoustic recordings were said to have been recorded virtually live in studios in Scotland and Paris, but they have an electric and complex feel that will connect with Afrobeat fans.

You can check out a couple of song samples on Nuru Kane's myspace site. I like this sound.

Riverboat Records offers a nice promotional podcast of Nuru Kane with song samples from the album, plus live recordings and interviews.

Nuru Kane is currently touring the UK with a five piece band, and it would be great to hear a report from anyone who has been able to see one of the shows---post a comment if you've seen one of the recent performances. I'm looking forward to a chance to see Nuru Kane in the US.